Elevation: Will Orchids Grow Above 7000ft?

[jadecryingwolf]

Hi everyone, I am new here and hopefully some of you can answer my question:

I live in the mountains of Southern California and I love orchids. I really want to try and raise a couple plants (and hope they survive) before I go hog wild with a greenhouse, etc.

My question is this:

Will orchids grow above 7000ft elevation in a very dry climate?

I know they need humidity, and I guess I am leery of investing in a greenhouse if the elevation will not work for the plants to begin with. It is so dry here (Big Bear Lake, CA).

I would love any CHEEEEEP suggestions for creating humidity for my beloveds ...

I had the idea of using a fishtank to simulate a grow box and create a humid environment for this experiment - what do we think of that? Cheaper is better until I know this will work, is all.

Also, (if you guys think I can swing it) would I be better off in your opinions starting off with flasks or mature plants?

Sorry if I sound like a complete tard, I don't get out much.

Thanks in advance!

Jade

[kmarch]

Jade,

There are some members here on the forum who live in Colorado and grow orchids at elevation. I bet they can offer some good advice.

[jadecryingwolf]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Jade,

There are some members here on the forum who live in Colorado and grow orchids at elevation. I bet they can offer some good advice.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that!

Actually the weather here is very similar to Denver & the surrounding area, just higher. Thanks!

[Vivienne]

Welcome Jade!

I live in Colorado Springs CO at an elevation of 7,000 feet. My orchids do fine. Have a few friends who live up in Woodland Park CO at about 9,000-10,000 feet. They both have greenhouses that are bursting with glorious orchids. One of these friends is an AOS judge. She wouldn't be way up there if her orchids didn't survive and thrive. So, GO FOR IT!

I don't have a greenhouse, but rather an atrium. I have closed off the entry ways with clear shower curtains and run 2 small humidifers (bought at Walmart) to maintain 60% humidity. Used to have a bigger unit but the fan broke. Haven't noticed any effect on the levels.

Seedlings, in my experience, are far more delicate than mature plants. If it were me, I'd start with mature, or near mature plants.

And that's my two petals worth. What do others think???

[jadecryingwolf]

Thank you Vivienne, you have made my day!

I appreciate it so much - I will be starting next week so wish me luck!

Thanks again!

[Vivienne]

WOOHOO! That is great news! Best Orchid Wishes to you Jade! Keep us posted!!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I have a temporary (horticultural plastic sheeting & bubble wrap insulation) greenhouse at 6000' in Prescott, AZ. Trust me, your humidity isn't as low as it is in Arizona. I use a fogger which gets the humidity in an 8 x 12 GH up to 50-60%, which is plenty. You will need an evaporative cooler, dependable heat, and lots of fans. I heat with electricity, and have portable tanks of propane and a Southern Burner heater as back up.

[PhalPal]

Welcome to the forum Jade!

Are you talking about growing orchids inside or outside?? I live down in OC. (almost sea level) If growing inside I don't think the elevation would have anything to do with growing successfully. I guess I never really thought about it. There are some orchids, Cymbidiums, that love our dry, hot weather and are beautiful outside. You will need to bring them inside for some of your snowy days but they can be out most of your year up there. Temps down here run between 35 - 100 and they cruise through it.

If you want suggestions on where to buy plants in So Cal, just ask me! San Diego and Santa Barbara are full of orchid farms.

[jay]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but . . . I believe that when they are talking about the elevation of plants in their natural habitat it is referenced because of average temperatures, light intesity, and humidity at those natural conditions. I don't believe that it has anything to do with atmospheric pressure.

With that in mind, we adjust the climates of our homes to be comfortable. These conditions that we like will be liked by many orchids. There may be additional things we can do to help our orchids like adding supplimental lighting, humidity trays, misting, potting materials suitable for our environments.

Now all that is left is to figure out what you can offer in your home and go and buy some orchids.

[jadecryingwolf]

Hi Everyone -

Thanks so much for all the help, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

I bought two Cats this weekend and I am planning to make some room for them, and for the new plants I am going to experiment with. You have all been just wonderful and I am excited to know there's a place I can come if I have questions or problems. Best of all, I am encouraged, thank to this forum and the responses from you kind people, to know I can grow the plants I love the most myself.

Thank you all again!

Sincerely,

Jade